Screwdriver adapter

Abstract

A screwdriver adapter ( 1 ) is provided with a receiving part ( 3 ) having an interior space ( 5 ). At the open end of the pot-shaped receiving part ( 3 ) there is inserted a nut-shaped element ( 2 ) in torsionally rigid and axially secured relationship. Adjoining the tool driving means ( 6 ) there is disposed a channel ( 8 ), which passes axially through the nut-shaped element ( 2 ) and extends as far as the interior space ( 5 ) of the receiving part ( 3 ). Drive portions broken off by overtorquing a screw in the tool driving means ( 6 ) can travel via the channel ( 8 ) into the interior space ( 5 ) of the receiving part ( 3 ), where they can be collected until an emptying process.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A screwdriver adapter, with a drive part ( 4 ) which fits a screwdriver and with a nut-shaped element ( 2 ) including tool driving means ( 6 ,  7 ) for driving in a screw ( 17 ) having a drive portion that can be broken off, twisted off or torn off by intentional overtorquing, the nut-shaped element ( 2 ) being provided with a channel ( 8 ) extending between the tool driving means ( 6 ,  7 ), and passing through said element ( 2 ), and characterized in that the channel ( 8 ) opens into an interior space ( 5 ) of a pot-shaped receiving part ( 3 ) for drive portions ( 18 ) broken off, twisted off or torn off from a screw ( 17 ), the open end of this receiving part being closed by the nut-shaped element ( 2 ), which is inserted in torsionally rigid and axially secured relationship in said open end of said receiving part ( 3 ), and the opposite end of said receiving part ( 3 ) being equipped with said drive part ( 4 ) which fits a screwdriver. 
     
     
       2. An adapter according to claim  1 , characterized in that the nut-shaped element ( 2 ) is made with said tool driving means ( 6 ,  7 ) at its opposite ends and is insertable into said receiving part ( 3 ) via one of said two ends, which are axially separated from each other. 
     
     
       3. An adapter according to claim  1 , characterized in that said tool driving means ( 6 ,  7 ) are differently shaped for engaging with differently shaped drive portions ( 18 ,  19 ). 
     
     
       4. An adapter according to claim  1 , characterized in that a recess is provided in the region of at least one of the tool driving means ( 6 ,  7 ) and in that holding element ( 15 ) engage resiliently in radial direction in said recess. 
     
     
       5. An adapter according to claim  1 , characterized in that a circumferential shoulder ( 9 ) with a polygonal shape ( 11 ) is formed approximately in the middle region of the axial length of the nut-shaped element ( 2 ), and in that a complementary polygonal shape ( 10 ) is provided inside the open rim region of the pot-shaped receiving part ( 3 ), adapted to forcibly turn the nut-shaped element ( 2 ). 
     
     
       6. An adapter according to claim  1 , characterized in that an annular groove ( 12 ) is formed at a distance from each end of the nut-shaped element ( 2 ), in which groove ( 12 ) there engages, to hold the nut-shaped element ( 2 ) axially, a resilient annular element ( 13 ), inserted in a groove ( 14 ) in the inside wall of the pot-shaped receiving part ( 3 ).